2: Chapter 2: A Pictorial Record of Living Beings

Qin Ding didn't pack anything, he just stood up and beckoned.

"Let's go, let's go home."

"Mm."

Inside the classroom, most of the students who hadn't left yet cast glances in their direction—some with envy, some with curiosity, some with jealousy, but those who knew or understood them had only pity in their eyes.

It wasn't until the two left the classroom that a murmur of discussion broke out.

"You have to admit, one is aloof and handsome, the other cold and beautiful; they really are a golden boy and jade girl. I'm quite envious."

"Envious? Do you have Qin Ding's physical fitness, or Bai Muxue's talent for nurturing? Not to mention that they achieved everything through their own hard work."

"Hey, I remember the results from the physical fitness test a few days ago are coming out soon, right?"

"Just about. But I saw Qin Ding's performance during the test; if I had his ability, what would I have to be envious of?"

"Sigh, alright, that's enough. Qin Ding and Bai Muxue weren't like this before; they used to be quite positive."

Since they all studied in the same city and were in the same class, there were always people who had known them since they were little. Since Qin Ding and Bai Muxue were unwilling to talk much now, when other classmates asked, there would naturally be someone to help explain.

"Is it the Spirit Realm? Is it what I think it is?"

"That's right. Qin Ding's parents and Bai Muxue's father all went missing in that secret realm six years ago. And as for things like the Spirit Realm, well, they say they're missing, but everyone who knows, knows."

"I see... Two families just shattered like that, especially Qin Ding's... No wonder his personality changed so much, just like you said."

"If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known. No wonder last time I asked Qin Ding to go play ball, he just shook his head at me and didn't say anything."

"Situations like this are quite common. There are probably around twenty people in our class whose parents are..."

Outside the school gate.

Their homes weren't far from school, and they had always walked home together.

On the way, Bai Muxue noticed that Qin Ding seemed distracted while walking. She thought for a moment and said, as if hinting at something.

"Qin Ding, your Mental Energy should have reached the first rank by now, right? When are you planning to form a contract with your Black Dog?"

Qin Ding, who had just been thinking about forming the contract after eating at Bai Muxue's house, was stunned for a moment after being asked directly about what was on his mind.

He didn't know if it was because he had lived two lives, but his Mental Energy had increased very quickly. He had just turned eighteen when school started, and in the three months since he began cultivating, his Mental Energy had reached the first rank a month and a half ago.

That was the stage where one could form a contract with a spirit beast.

As for Black Dog, it was a puppy born from his parents' beast, and it had lived with him for six years. Its level was six.

Thinking of the aptitude evaluation of his Black Dog on the Life Records, Qin Ding felt a sense of helplessness that made him want to laugh.

"Today."

Hearing this, Bai Muxue nodded silently. After glancing at Qin Ding's expression, a look of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but in the end, she didn't say anything.

If she guessed correctly... Ah Ding would definitely form a Life and Death Contract with Black Dog, right? He wanted so badly to find a way to see his uncle and aunt again...

But... I think I'm about the same?

How could Qin Ding not know the girl's thoughts, given Bai Muxue's inner struggle?

It was a case of: she didn't ask, and he didn't say.

Ten minutes later, Qin Ding took out the key to Bai Muxue's house and skillfully opened the front door.

After the incident six years ago, Aunt Zhao, who was Bai Muxue's mother, had given him the key to her house. Likewise, Aunt Zhao and Bai Muxue also had keys to his house.

The moment the door opened.

A rich aroma of food was immediately caught by Qin Ding, but before he and Bai Muxue could change their shoes, Qin Ding spotted that drooling Black Dog in the living room.

Qin Ding: ?

"Woof, woof!"

Seeming to sense a familiar scent, Black Dog immediately darted towards Qin Ding and Bai Muxue.

Black Dog's barking let the woman busy in the kitchen know what was happening.

"Xiao Ding and Mu Xue are back? Get ready to wash your hands; the soup will be ready soon."

The gentle voice of the woman came from the kitchen. Qin Ding, looking slightly impatient, pushed Black Dog away with his foot as it pawed at him. "Get off."

"Okay, Aunt Zhao."

[Spirit Beast: Black Dog]

[Aptitude: Inferior]

[Element: None]

[Level: 6 (Low Rank)]

[Ability: Holds Grudges]

[Bloodline: Canine (95%), Lupine (4.99%), Draconic (0.01%)]

[Evolution Path Draconic: (Must complete Lupine evolution path)]

[Evolution Path Lupine: (Must reach 10% Lupine bloodline purity)]

[Evolution Path Canine: Must reach level 11]

[Aptitude Improvement: At level 10, consuming a blood spirit fruit has a certain probability of triggering a rebound from rock bottom, directly raising it to Fair.]

[Introduction: A common species of meat dog; special individuals have some cultivation value.]

Spirit beasts have a total of one hundred levels, with every ten levels constituting a major rank.

1-10 (Low Rank), 11-20 (High Rank), 21-30 (Elite), 31-40 (Commander), 41-50 (Overlord), 51-60 (Monarch), 61-70 (Legendary), 71-80 (Calamity), 81-90 (Mythical).

As for those higher, above level ninety-one?

In human history, there has only been one case: that of The First Emperor who disappeared mysteriously. Even among the current highest The Twelve Councilors of the Human Federation, the strongest beast is only level ninety; level ninety-one does not exist.

And there are seven ranks of aptitude.

Common - Fair - Excellent - Rare - Epic - Legendary - Immortal

Inferior is an aptitude independent of the aptitude list; it belongs to the kind that is only fit for the pot even if given away. In other words, its only value is being killed for meat; it is surprisingly low.

This was also what Qin Ding couldn't understand. He didn't know what aptitude his parents' beasts had, but he remembered that his parents' beasts were all over level twenty, so they should...

They should have been that Black Dog's parents were both of Common aptitude, triggering a 'pity pull'...

As for elements, those are attributes awakened after reaching level 11 and completing evolution. Currently, his Black Dog didn't have any, and combined with that aptitude, it could be considered an 'Earth Dog' in the true sense.

"Good boy, Black Dog, we'll eat in a bit."

Black Dog's affection made Bai Muxue's eyes curve for a moment. After patting Black Dog on the head, she walked quickly towards the kitchen.

"Mom, I'll come help you."

After changing his shoes, Qin Ding glanced at Bai Muxue's disappearing back and helplessly tapped Black Dog on the head.

"Can you stop acting like you've never seen the world before? I haven't been starving you, have I? You get meat every meal, don't you?"

The two hadn't signed a contract, so Black Dog could only understand the general meaning. It immediately stopped drooling and gazed eagerly at Qin Ding, even though it couldn't speak human language.

But those dog eyes held a hint of grievance.

Qin Ding: ...

Aunt Zhao was afraid you'd be hungry, so she brought you over to eat with us, and you ended up drooling all over her floor.

And in the end, you're the one who feels aggrieved?